Columbia College vs. WKU

Columbia College Chicago and Western Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Columbia College Chicago
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia College (89.5% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT N/A vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $29,473 at Columbia College.
  • Graduation: Columbia College 41% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbia College $37,300 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Columbia College Chicago Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
Columbia College more selective
Columbia College89.5%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
Columbia College-
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $16,925 less
Columbia College$29,473
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $22,436 less
Columbia College$34,088
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $7,088 less
Columbia College$34,088
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +9 pts
Columbia College41%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia College +$200
Columbia College$37,300
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbia College 7,079
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Columbia College 6,333
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbia College 89.5% Open
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbia College 15.1% Open
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia College
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia College
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbia College 3.41
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbia College B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbia College Unavailable
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbia College
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Columbia College
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Columbia College
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbia College Open admission
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Columbia College Aug 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Columbia College $20,629
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Columbia College $29,473
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbia College $22,780
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbia College 100%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbia College 41%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbia College $37,300
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbia College 46%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbia College $26,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbia College $268
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbia College 15:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbia College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Communications Technology (6%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Columbia College Chicago, IL
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Columbia College Large City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia College 5,570
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbia College
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 5,570 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 39% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,582 vs. $20,629).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at Columbia College than at Western Kentucky University (about $7,088 more per year; $34,088 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 108.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($22,780 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Columbia College, test optional at WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Columbia College (3.41).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($250 vs. $268).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 46%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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